1. Human-Wildlife Conflict with an Emphasis on Coyote Depredation
Roger A. Baldwin
UCCE Wildlife Specialist
Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology
University of California, Davis

2. Benefits of Wildlife Physical utility Monetary Recreational Scientific
Ecological
Existence
Adapted from Conover 2002

3. What Are Vertebrate Pests?
Nonhuman species of vertebrate animals that are currently troublesome locally, or over a wide area, to one or more persons, either by being a health hazard, a general nuisance, or by destroying food, fiber, or natural resources.

4. What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
The negative interaction of humans and other vertebrate animals.
Such situations could result in:
- health hazards

5. What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
The negative interaction of humans and other vertebrate animals.
Such situations could result in:
- health hazards
- destruction of food, fiber,
or natural resources.

6. What is Human-Wildlife Conflict?
The negative interaction of humans and other vertebrate animals.
Such situations could result in:
- health hazards
- destruction of food, fiber,
or natural resources.
- general nuisance incidents

7. History Human-wildlife conflict has always been present.
Really came to the forefront in western U.S. with an increase in livestock production and agriculture.

8. Livestock Issues
Pioneers concerned about losses of livestock to predators.
Much effort was taken to reduce or eliminate predator populations.

9. Livestock Damage Estimates
In 2010, predators resulted in loss of 220,000 head of livestock.
This totaled $98.5 million in losses to ranchers.
Does not account for indirect losses (e.g., weaning weights of calves 2-10% lower in presence of wolves).
$188.5 million was expended for non-lethal control of predators.

10. Current Control Strategies
Currently, we focus on an integrated approach that utilizes a number of strategies and tools to control vertebrate pests.

11. Current Control Strategies
Currently, we focus on an integrated approach that utilizes a number of strategies and tools to control vertebrate pests.

12. Management Options
Two-tiered system:
Nonlethal options
Lethal options

13. Management Options Two-tiered system:
Nonlethal options
Lethal options
Nonlethal control is principle focus

14. Management Options Two-tiered system:
Nonlethal options
Lethal options
Nonlethal control is principle focus
Lethal options used when needed

15. Management Options—Nonlethal
Habitat modification
Certain habitats are more conducive to depredation events.
Pasturing, lambing, & calving habitat
Pasture in areas with less history of depredation.
Shortening birthing period can overwhelm predators.
Particularly avoid these areas at sensitive times.
Could graze cattle in heavy coyote depredation areas.

16. Management Options—Nonlethal
Sanitation
Removing carcasses may lessen depredation pressure.
Less feasible over large areas.

17. Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence

18. Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence

19. Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence
3. Combination fence

20. Management Options—Nonlethal
1. Woven wire fence
2. Electric fence
4. Portable electric fence
3. Combination fence

21. Management Options—Nonlethal
Night/seasonal enclosure
Predation greatest at night.
Bring livestock into enclosures at night can reduce threat.
Calving and lambing in such areas also reduces threat.
Not as plausible over large areas.

22. Management Options—Nonlethal
Herding
Constant human presence is effective.
Allows behavioral observation.
Expensive.
Limited qualified labor force.
Disruptive harassment
Running off or shooting with rubber slugs or paint balls

23. Management Options—Nonlethal
Guard dogs
Can effectively reduce livestock losses from coyotes.
Require extensive training.
Can be expensive.
May directly predate on livestock.

24. Management Options—Nonlethal
Guard dogs
Can effectively reduce livestock losses from coyotes.
Require extensive training.
Can be expensive.
May directly predate on livestock.
Donkeys/llamas
Can also reduce livestock losses.
Less training/greater longevity.
Less specialized care.
Less concern with other coyote management options.

25. Management Options—Nonlethal
Visual frightening approaches
Lights around pens and corrals somewhat effective.
Vehicles left in area somewhat effective, especially if moved.
Coyotes will habituate quickly.

26. Management Options—Nonlethal
Visual frightening approaches
Lights around pens and corrals somewhat effective.
Vehicles left in area somewhat effective, especially if moved.
Coyotes will habituate quickly.
Auditory frightening devices
Radios in animal holding areas.
Propane cannons and sirens.
Combinations can be most effective (e.g., Electronic Guards).
More effective when triggered.
Can be irritant to neighbors and efficacy is not long term.

27. Management Options—Nonlethal
Fladry
Strands of flags strung just above ground.
Can keep canids out for a couple of months.
Turbo fladry is often more effective.
Best if used as one part of management program.

28. Management Options—Lethal
Broad-scale population reduction
Goal is to minimize population density over a broad area.
Can reduce depredation events if intensive enough.
Must be repeated over time to keep populations from rebounding.
Is expensive.
Can alter population demographics.
May impact nontarget species.

29. Management Options—Lethal
Broad-scale population reduction
Historical options included:
bounties
trapping (including leg-hold traps)
shooting (including aerial gunning)

30. Management Options—Lethal
Broad-scale population reduction
Historical options included:
bounties
trapping (including leg-hold traps)
shooting (including aerial gunning)
Current options include:
snaring
shooting (lead bullet ban may limit)
Not widely used in CA today.

31. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Goal is to remove offending individuals.
alpha pairs often responsible
coyotes with pups increase problems
Is less expensive.
Should have little impact on nontarget species.
More common approach used today.

32. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Snares

33. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Snares
Calling and shooting

34. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Snares
Calling and shooting
Livestock protection collars no longer used in CA

35. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Den site (Wildlife Services only)
pup removal reduces depredations
gas cartridges

36. Management Options—Lethal
Targeted removal
Den site (Wildlife Services only)
pup removal reduces depredations
gas cartridges
Removal over sensitive area
targeted for short period/small area
can be preventative or reactive

37. Management Options—Impacts
Fencing
Can alter wildlife movement.
Can cause range degradation.
Guard dogs
Can harass wildlife.
Snares
If used incorrectly, could result in nontarget take.

38. Management Options—Example
Integrated approach
Fladry to deter.
Scary!

39. Management Options—Example
Integrated approach
Fladry to deter.
Guard animals to reinforce deterrent.
Maybe not…

40. Management Options—Example
Integrated approach
Fladry to deter.
Guard animals to reinforce deterrent.
Lethal removal when other options fail.

41. Summary
Coyotes and other predators are a valuable part of the environment and often cause little damage.
When damage occurs, nonlethal approaches are preferred.
Lethal control will be needed in some situations.
The integration of a variety of control methods will provide the best results and have the least impact on the natural ecosystem.

42. Thanks!